Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1517996
VOLUME ISSUE MARCH , P87 Bagnaia looked to have the race sewn up, crossing the start-finish line with four laps to go with an advantage of seven-tenths of a second over Vinales. However, the World Champion got it all wrong into turn one, the factory Ducati snapping left under brakes and sending him off the road. Bagnaia kept it upright, but his victory hopes were gone as Vinales, Marquez and Martin all rode past. Bagnaia would have to settle for fourth at the finish. Vinales, however, rode into the history books with his first Aprilia win—well, sort of. His win marked the third different premier class machine he has won on (Suzuki and Yamaha being the others), a feat no other rider in history has ac - complished. However, as this was a Sprint race, it's not counted as a full Grand Prix, so Vinales will still have to wait if he's to take what is a coveted racing record. Second place went to Marquez for his first Ducati podium, and third to Martin over Bagnaia in fourth with Jack Miller rounding out the top five. MOTOGP RACE The Sunday MotoGP race was an all-Martin affair. The number 89 wound the red and purple Ducati up like a slingshot and fired it off the line to take the lead at turn one, and for the riders behind him, that's as close as they would get to the Spaniard. "I'm really proud of the work we did all weekend," said Martin. "I knew that with the medium rear I was going to feel much better. I was really committed to take the lead and I knew it was the key today to be in the front. Being in the lead on lap one was the key to the win. set to be confirmed in the com- ing weeks. A reduction in engine capacity (850cc is widely being spoken of), a removal of ride-height devices, and control on aerody- namics are all measures likely to be implemented. Asked about the upcoming change, Marc Marquez said those respon- sible for the rules have a decision to make. "Do you want MotoGP to be a show for the spectators or to have the perfect bike? If you take off some off the aerodynamics, if you take off the devices, for the show it'll be better. Perfect bike means going with more aerody- namics. The lap times will be fast- er. But the people at home doesn't realize if we'll be faster or slower on the TV. I will go that way. Less aero, everything more manual. For the show, it will be better." PEDRO TAKING MOTOGP BY STORM The Portuguese GP was momen- tous in many ways. Firstly, Pedro Acosta became the third young- est premier-class podium finisher in history at 19 years and 304 days of age. Only Randy Mamola (19-years-261-days old, Finland 1979) and Eduardo Salatino (19-years-274-days old, Argen- tina 1962) were younger. During preseason and the first two rounds, Acosta has amazed his Tech3 team. "It's amazing," crew chief Paul Trevathan told Cycle News. "I still don't know the limit of the guy. Every time he rides the bike he improves. He makes little changes to his riding and I haven't seen the limit yet. Even looking at Doha, f**k, what a great race! We don't put a target on anything, as every day is different." Briefly... (Above) Fabio Quartararo made the best of a bad situation to take seventh in the Sunday GP. (Below) Those heady Ducati days must seem like a long time ago for Honda's Johann Zarco (5), who failed to finish the Sprint race and took a distant 15th in the Sunday GP. Takaaki Nakagami (30) wasn't much better, with a 17th and 14th scorecard for the weekend.